Journal of Commerce | Dena Fehir | September 22, 2025
The Canadian Association of Women in Construction has announced its 2025-2026 executive director and president.
The CAWIC board of directors has named Sarah Morison as executive director and Kristen Bauer as president.
Morison brings extensive non-profit leadership experience to the role
Her past positions include working with associations, charities and B-Corps to grow organizations, strengthen engagement and ensure values remain central to decision-making. Her early focus with CAWIC will be on connecting with members, partners and stakeholders to listen, learn and shape future programming.
“As a marketing and communications expert, I’m recognized for revitalizing fund development departments by diversifying revenue streams, introducing innovative technologies, and creating systems that transform fundraising into lasting community partnerships. At CAWIC, I’m applying that expertise to strengthen operations, scale the association’s flagship programs, and ensure long-term sustainability,” said Morison.
She says her key priorities are:
- To elevate CAWIC’s reputation as the national authority for women in construction.
- Expand partnerships and diversify funding through innovative collaborations.
- Build a connected national community where women and allies feel supported.
“I’m honoured to be CAWIC’s new executive director and to be part of such a forward-thinking and supportive community,” she said.
“This is an exciting time for the industry, as we rethink what leadership looks like, create meaningful pathways for women to advance their careers, and work toward a more inclusive culture in construction.”
Both new appointments mark a new chapter in advancing CAWIC’s mission to champion equity, opportunity and innovation across the construction sector.
Recently, CAWIC received $460,000 in provincial funding to provide 100 women in the construction industry with targeted training and resources. Both Morison and Bauer will outline their intentions with those funds in the near future.
Bauer also outlined what her leadership priorities are for the year ahead:
- National influence and voice – position CAWIC as the leading national thought leadership and advocacy body shaping policy, partnerships and public discourse.
- Governance and sustainability – Strengthen the board’s role as a governance body, ensure financial sustainability and secure staff capacity to move fully from operations to governance.
- Industry transformation – Champion systemic change by stewarding strategic alliances, engaging men as allies, and advancing data-informed advocacy (corporate partnerships with organizations like Mark’s and Home Depot, men as stakeholders, data).
- National reach and permanence – Build lasting networks and alliances to establish CAWIC as a permanent, future-ready national organization (affiliate network, national community-building).
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked to break barriers in male-dominated spaces while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, equity and operational excellence. I’m passionate about forging strategic partnerships, building high-performing teams, and driving systemic change in the construction sector. At CAWIC, I bring this breadth of expertise to empower women, strengthen our national influence and create lasting impact across Canada’s construction industry,” said Bauer.
Bauer is slated to serve a two-year, voluntary term and could potentially serve two terms consecutively. She will remain in her current position outside of CAWIC as senior manager, product and solutions – innovative technologies at United Rentals.
“As president of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction, I am proud to be a trailblazer in Canada’s construction and equipment industries. With nearly two decades of experience in project management, business development, product innovation, and operations, I’ve had the privilege of leading teams across some of the sector’s most complex and high-profile environments,” said Bauer.
A longtime CAWIC member and past chair of the Western Canada chapter, Bauer is known for building connections, forging partnerships and creating opportunities that empower women to succeed.
“CAWIC is more than an association — it’s a movement for real, lasting change,” said Bauer. “I believe the most effective leaders lead in a way that is true to who they are, and that is the culture we are building in construction, one where women can lead in their own way and thrive on their own terms. With Sarah joining us as executive director, we have a unique opportunity to amplify our national voice, push for bold advocacy, and create a more inclusive, forward-thinking industry for the next generation.”